Appliance adapted for use with hydraulic lifts



APPLIANCE ADAPTED FOR USE WITH HYDRAULIC LIFTS Filed May 25, 1967 July 22, 1969 c. E. MCINTIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (Z/FfO/V a M //V77 INVENTOR.

A770Z/VEV5 July 22, 1969 c. E. M INTIRE 3,

APPLIANCE ADAPTED FOR USE WITH HYDRAULIC LIFTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1967 trite tts tt 3,456,899 APRLIANCE ADAPTER) FOR USE WITH HYDRAULIC LIFTS Ciifton E. Mclntire, 12570 Hunnewell Ave, Sylmar, Calif. 91345 Filed May 23, 1967, Ser. No. 640,626 Int. Cl. B66c 23/02, 23/62 US. Cl. 2128 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention is a lifting appliance constructed for and adapted for attachment to the upper end of a hydraulic lifting column. Provided at the upper end of the lifting column is a horizontal plate. The attachment is in the form of a frame having a pivoted member and clamping means so that the attachment can be manually clamped to the plate at the top of the lifting column and readily unclamped therefrom.

This invention relates to an appliance particularly adapted for use with hydraulic lifts or hoists of the type ordinarily present in service stations for lifting automotive vehicles for servicing. The appliance is a device attachable to the lifting column of the hydraulic lift whereby the utility of the lift is greatly enhanced by making it useful for lifting and moving heavy objects such as vehicle motors and the like. The appliance may be used with other hydraulic lift mechanisms.

conventionally, hydraulic lifts or hoists of the type referred to embody a vertical lift column at the upper end of which is a plate or platform having extending arms attached at the ends. These arms, with pads at their ends engage underneath points of the frame of a vehicle whereby it is lifted. The appliance of the invention comprises a horizontal boom supported from a frame structure formed of struts, and constructed so that it is readily attachable or securable to the upper end of the lifting column of the hoist. The lifting column is of course rotatable through 360. Accordingly, the appliance when attached and secured to the lifting column can be elevated to any desired elevation and rotated to any angular position. Thus, any heavy object can be secured to the end of the boom and then elevated and moved to a desired position within the angular range of the hoist.

The appliance may be constructed simply as described or additional features may be embodied in it. The appliance may be provided with an integral winch and cable, the cable passing over a pulley at the end of the boom to facilitate attaching to and elevating objects to be moved. Also the boom may be mounted to the attachment by way of a mechanism providing for horizontal swiveling movement of the boom into desired angular positions in which it can be set. Also the boom may be pivotally mounted in the frame of the appliance for swinging or tilting movement in a vertical plane with hydraulic mechanism provided in the appliance itself for effecting this tilting of the boom.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail hereinafter. The primary object of the invention is to provide an appliance as described for the purpose of enlarging and enhancing the utilities and capabilities of an hydraulic lift or hoist of the type referred to.

A further object is to provide an appliance in the form of a horizontal boom having a support structure, with means for attaching it to the upper end of the vertical column of an hydraulic lift or hoist.

Another object is to provide an attachment as in the foregoing object embodying pivoted support struts or legs, whereby to facilitate attachment or securement of the appliance to the vertical column.

Another object is to provide an appliance as in the foregoing embodying integrally, a winch and cable cooperating with the end of the boom.

Another object is to provide an appliance as in the foregoing wherein the boom is mounted in the appliance for tilting in a vertical plane relative to its support frame or legs with mechanical means for effecting the tilting.

Another object is to provide an appliance as in the foregoing wherein the boom is mounted for horizontal swiveling movement, relative to its integral support structure.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view partly in section of the form of the invention of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side view partly in section of a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a side view partly in section of another modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a side view partly in section of another modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines 99 of FIGURE 8.

Referring now more in detail to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, numeral 10 designates the vertical column of a typical hydraulic lift or hoist such as is ordinarily present in service stations. Typically the column 10 has at the upper end thereof rectangular plate or platform 12 having extending from it at angular positions arms such as shown at 14 and 16. These arms may be mounted for angular movement in a horizontal plane and at their ends they have pads as shown at 18 and 20. The arms extend outwardly and the pads may be fitted underneath the frame of a vehicle which is lifted when column 10 is hydraulically raised.

The appliance of the invention comprises a horizontal tubular boom 28 having a pin 30 with loop 29 on the end extending through an aperature in the end of the boom as shown. As shown an automobile engine is supported by chains from the pin 30 with a loop 29 in its end.

The appliance comprises a framework or structure from which it may be supported from the upper end of the column It). This framework or structure comprises struts 32 and 34 arranged in the shape of an inverted V, the upper ends of these struts being secured by welding to the boom 28 and the lower ends being secured to the ends of a transverse hollow frame member 36. Two additional struts are provided and designated at 4%} and 42, the lower ends of which are secured as by welding at the mid-point of the top of the transverse member 36. These members extend upwardly and diverge outwardly and at their upper ends, which are bent to be vertical, they are attached to the lower side of the boom 28. At the ends of the transverse member 36 there are provided hook members 44 and 46 shaped to engage an edge of the plate or platform 12.

The boom 28 is supported primarily by way of the struts 32, 34, 33, and 42. Numeral 48 designates a similar hollow transverse member provided with similar hooks 50 and 52 which can hook against a side edge of the plate or platform 12 like the hooks 44 and 46. Numerals 54 and 56 designate a pair of strut members, the lower ends of which are integrally secured to the transverse member 48. These members are bent to slant inwardly, having vertical upper end parts 58 and 60 which straddle the end of the boom 28 and which are pivotally secured to it by way of a bolt 62 which extends through the ends of these members and through the boom 28. Thus, the members 54 and 56 and the transverse member 48 form a swinging frame (or leg) so that the hooks 50 and 52 can be swung towards the edge of the plate 12 to engage it and can swing away from it to disengage from it.

Numeral 64 designates a threaded rod with threads of opposite hands at the different ends of the rod. The ends of this rod are threaded through the mid-points of the transverse members 36 and 48, which have collars as shown at 66 and 68 attached to the inside surfaces of the members. The end of the rod 64 is provided with a fitting or socket 70 so that it may be rotated by a suitable wrench.

In the use of the appliance 26 it is placed in a position as shown over the platform 12 at the top of column 10. The hooks 44 and 46 are hooked into engagement with the edge of the platform 12. The hooks 50 and 52 carried by the transverse member 48 and the struts 54 and 56 are brought into engagement with the opposite edge of the plate 12 by rotation of the threaded member 64. That is, the leg formed by members 48, 54 and 56 is swung about its pivot axis. In this manner the appliance is securely and firmly supported from the column 10. It may be rotated about a vertical axis into any angular position as desired such as for lifting a motor as shown in FIGURE 1. Column and the appliance may then be lifted to any desired height as necessary, and the appliance and column may then be rotated into any desired position for transferring or moving the load being lifted.

Referring to FIGURE 4, this figure shows a modified form of the invention wherein the appliance is like that of the previous embodiment. However, a winch is designated at 76 on top of the boom 28 substantially above the column 10. This winch may be of conventional construction embodying a rotor on which a cable 78 is wrapped, the rotor being operable by a gear 80 on the end of the rotor shaft which meshes with a small gear 82 rotatable by a hand crank 84. The cable passes over a pulley 86 at the end of the boom 28, with a hook 88 on the end of the cable. This embodiment facilitates the making of a connection from the appliance to a load to be lifted and transferred to other positions.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 show another modified form of the invention. Parts of this embodiment which are like corresponding parts of previous embodiments are identified by the same reference characters. In FIGURES 5 and 6, the struts 40 and 42 are secured to a transverse member 90 and this member is secured to the top of a pair of cylinders or sleeves 92 and 94 on a transverse shaft 96. The struts 32 and 34 in this embodiment of the invention have their ends secured to the end parts of the sleeves 92 and 94. The hook members 44 and 46 are secured to the shaft 96. As will be pointed out the boom 28 and the supporting strut can be rotated or tilted in a vertical plane about the shaft 96.

Means are provided within the appliance for tilting the boom as described. Numeral 100 designates a rectangular frame having upper and lower members 102. and 104 and side members 106 and 108. Upstanding from the top member 102 are members 110 and 112 forming a yoke straddling the end of the boom 28 and these members being pivotally secured to the boom by a transverse pin 114.

Numeral 118 designates a second rectangular frame having side members 120 and 122 which are C-shaped channel members with their channels facing inwardly. The outside or web parts of these channel members have lower extensions 124 and 126 extending beyond the channel sections. Upstandiug from the transverse member 36 are a pair of lugs 130 and 132. Numeral 134 designates a transverse shaft which extends through the lugs 130 and 132 and the extensions 124 and 126 on the channel sections 120 and 122. Accordingly the frame 118 is pivotally supported or attached to the transverse member 36. The side members 106 and 108 of the frame member are engaged in the channels of the members and 122 of the frame member 118 so as to be extensible therein, that is, the entire frame 100 is extensible and retractable relative to the frame 118.

Mounted on the transverse member 104 of frame 100 is a hydraulic jack which may be of conventional construction and the jack having a base 142 and being operable by a handle 144. The jack has an extending stem 146 which engages the upper transverse member 119 of frame 118. When the jack is operated to extend the stem 146, frames 100 and 118 extend relative to each other.

With reference to the embodiment of FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 it is attached to the platform 12 at the top of column 10 in the same manner as previous embodiments, that is, the entire structure comprised of the frames 100 and 118 can be swung about the pin or shaft 114 to bring the hooks 50 and 52 into engagement with an edge of the platform 13 after it has been engaged by the books 44 and 46. The hydraulic lift can be operated or manipulated as in the previous embodiments for lifting and transferring or moving a load. Additionally the boom 28 can be tilted in a vertical plane as described for purposes of attaching to a load, lifting it and/ or adjusting its position and this is done simply by operating the jack 140 which extends the frames 110 and 118 as described to tilt the boom 28, about shaft 96 through which threaded stem 64 passes.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of the invention in which corresponding parts are similarly identified. In this embodiment of the invention, a vertical tubular column or strut 150 is provided in lieu of the struts 32 and 34. Column or strut 150 is secured at the top end to the structural member 28a which is like the part of the boom 28 of the previous embodiments to which the supporting struts are secured. The lower end of the vertical column 150 is secured to the midpoint of the transverse member 36 and strut 40 is secured to it. The boom is tubular and in this modification is designated at 28b. Its end is attached to the upper end of a sleeve or cylinder 152 surrounding strut 150. Fixed to the column 150 is disc 154. On the end of the sleeve 152 is a second disc 156 adjacent the disc 154. These discs have holes which register with each other at various angular positions. The boom can be swung laterally to various angular positions and set in these positions by pin 160 passing through reg istering holes in the discs 154 and 156. Numeral 1'62 designates a strut extending between the lower part of the sleeve 152 and end part of the boom 28b. The struts forming an inverted V-shape are provided as shown at 164 and 166 on either side of strut 1'50 extending between member 36 and member 28a.

The embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 9 operates like the previous embodiments, and has a similar utility but has the additional utility that the boom can be swung angularly in a horizontal plane to the desired position relative to the appliance itself.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will readily understand the nature of the invention, its construction and, the manner in which it achieves and realizes the objects and advantages set forth in the foregoing as well as the many additional advantages that are apparent from the detailed description.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and it is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture an appliance adapted for use with a hydraulic lifting hoist having a. vertical column, said appliance comprising a generally horizontally extending boom, frame support means for the boom, the boom having a portion extending from the frame support means, said frame support means comprising means adapted for attachment and securement solely to the upper end of the hydraulic hoist lift column with the boom extending laterally from the column, the column being free to be drawn into a lifting cylinder, the supporting frame of the appliance being provided with manual clamping means adapted for manual clamping securement to the upper end of the hydraulic lift hoist column, said frame support means including a plurality of supporting legs, at least one of said supporting legs having pivotal mounting adapting it to swing towards and away from the upper end of the said hoist column and means for manipulating said leg whereby to clamp the upper part of the hoist column between said legs, the hydraulic hoist lift column being of a type having a flat horizontal plate at the top having edges, and support legs having means at the lower ends thereof for clamping engagement with the edges of said plate.

2. An appliance as in claim 1 wherein the appliance is equipped with a winch, the boom having a pulley mounted thereon and cable means passing over the pulley and operable by the winch.

3. An appliance as in claim 1 including means providing for swiveling mounting of said boom on said frame support means providing for a horizontal swinging movement of the boom.

4. An appliance as in claim 3 wherein said frame support means comprises an intermediate vertical cylindrical column member, a rotatable sleeve having said column member passing through it and said boom mounted and supported from said vertical sleeve.

5. An appliance as in claim 1 wherein said frame support means is provided with a joint therein having horizontal axis of rotation whereby said boom may be swung in a vertical plane, a part of said frame support means being constructed to be extensible, and means for adjustably extending said one part whereby to swing said boom in a vertical plane, about said axis.

6. An appliance as in claim 5 wherein said joint in said frame supporting means is provided at the lower part thereof adjacent the point of attachment of the frame support means to the said lift hoist column.

7. An appliance as in claim 6 wherein said extensible leg comprises telescoping sections and hydraulic means interposed between said sections for extending the said means for tilting the said beam.

References Cited EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner HARVEY C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 212-64, 144 

